My first attempt at a Glock Grip job

[jp0319]

Ok guys here is my first attempt at a grip job on my Glock 19. I was a bit nervous doing this to a brand new gun so I played around on an old magazine or two until I found something I liked. I originally wanted to attain an effect like on my Glock 35 which was done by BTC. I tried and tried and could not replicate the pattern. So I attempted small stippling and got that down but the grip was not aggressive enough for me so I ended up with what you see here which is my version of the "gunner Grip" popularized by the Simonich Gunner Grips made for 1911s. I filled the void behind the mag well with black Brownells Acra Glass and did a very mild grip reduction only really straightening the hump on the rear slightly and removing the finger groves. I also went to town on the trigger guard. I am happy with the finished product it is not the prettiest but it's functional and works. Oh and the sights are Warren Tactical tritium dot front no dot rear. I love them and they are my new favorite sight, very fast on target.

Enjoy,
JP

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab50/jp0319/IMG_0085.jpg

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http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab50/jp0319/IMG_0078.jpg

Oops forgot a pic of the entire pistol

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab50/jp0319/IMG_0086.jpg

[NoBody]

Good job, Airborne!

[709bubblehead]

Looks good. I've been thinking about stippling the frame on my xd. did you use a soldering iron?

[wahoo95]

Looks like you're gonna need some gloves.....that stippling is super aggressive.

[Jim D]

Looks like you're gonna need some gloves.....that stippling is super aggressive.

It's all what you're used to. I know guys with more aggresive stippling/grips than that, who almost never wear gloves.

[Jesse Tischauser]

Nice job!

[jp0319]

Thanks guys, I personally love aggressive stippling. My hands seem to slide around on anything but uber aggressive grips. I did use a soldering iron that I got from radio shack which had interchangable tips one which was fat and round that ended up being perfect.

It was much easier than I thought at first once I had a pattern I was comfortable with it didnt take long at all. Grinding the finger grooves, back strap, and trigger guard took way more time than the grip.

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

Wow, very aggressive texture, seems like a good texture on a duty pistol, but on a carry pistol it would bother me. Either way, good job.

[709bubblehead]

Thanks guys, I personally love aggressive stippling. My hands seem to slide around on anything but uber aggressive grips. I did use a soldering iron that I got from radio shack which had interchangable tips one which was fat and round that ended up being perfect.
It was much easier than I thought at first once I had a pattern I was comfortable with it didnt take long at all. Grinding the finger grooves, back strap, and trigger guard took way more time than the grip.

I think I know the tip you're talking about. I probably got the same exact soldering iron last weekend to fix my subwoofer...

[JonnyVain]

I also raised and rounded my trigger guard. Not quite as much as you, but I rounded the edges of it too. I also removed the hook on the grip tang. Seems like it helped me get a higher grip. I recommend it, but you should first lock the slide back, then push the gun back in your hand to simulate recoil and make sure you won't cause yourself to get slide bite.

I didn't bevel the L side so much since I'm right handed:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5245010739_66c677266d_z.jpg

Here's my guard. I've since cleaned it up a little so it looks nicer:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1211/5105520617_8bce7df561_z.jpg

One more without flash:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5245010659_188009d67a_z.jpg


I've recently added my cut down backstrap back on, as I'm hearing reports of more muzzle flip with the smaller grip, and my only malfunctions were without the backstrap. Doing this on a Gen4 eliminates the need for a grip reduction.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1153/5105528423_427f930a7f_z.jpg

I also use a Hogue Handall that I filed (yes, you can file the rubber. I was surprised too) down the finger bumps on, giving it a less bulky feel.



If you would allow me to make a recommendation... next time you do your trigger guard, buy a dowel rod that's slightly thinner than your middle finger. Wrap sandpaper around it. I actually used my kitchen knife steel, as it was perfect for me at about 3/8" diameter. 800 will take a while, but you'll get a nice smooth finish in the end. Then use this to undercut your trigger guard, being careful not to cut into the grip. As you're sanding, turn the dowel up the edges to bevel it slightly. Start with heavy pressure to sand faster, then as you get close to finished, lighten up to prevent grooving.

I would also recommend making pencil lines at equal distance from the inside of the guard, so you get a nice, consistent guard thickness.

[jp0319]

I also raised and rounded my trigger guard. Not quite as much as you, but I rounded the edges of it too. I also removed the hook on the grip tang. Seems like it helped me get a higher grip. I recommend it, but you should first lock the slide back, then push the gun back in your hand to simulate recoil and make sure you won't cause yourself to get slide bite.

I didn't bevel the L side so much since I'm right handed:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5245010739_66c677266d_z.jpg

Here's my guard. I've since cleaned it up a little so it looks nicer:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1211/5105520617_8bce7df561_z.jpg

One more without flash:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5245010659_188009d67a_z.jpg


I've recently added my cut down backstrap back on, as I'm hearing reports of more muzzle flip with the smaller grip, and my only malfunctions were without the backstrap. Doing this on a Gen4 eliminates the need for a grip reduction.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1153/5105528423_427f930a7f_z.jpg

I also use a Hogue Handall that I filed (yes, you can file the rubber. I was surprised too) down the finger bumps on, giving it a less bulky feel.



If you would allow me to make a recommendation... next time you do your trigger guard, buy a dowel rod that's slightly thinner than your middle finger. Wrap sandpaper around it. I actually used my kitchen knife steel, as it was perfect for me at about 3/8" diameter. 800 will take a while, but you'll get a nice smooth finish in the end. Then use this to undercut your trigger guard, being careful not to cut into the grip. As you're sanding, turn the dowel up the edges to bevel it slightly. Start with heavy pressure to sand faster, then as you get close to finished, lighten up to prevent grooving.

I would also recommend making pencil lines at equal distance from the inside of the guard, so you get a nice, consistent guard thickness.

Thanks for the advice, I am more function over form My glocks are tools so if they arent perfect I dont get too bent up as long as I dont screw anything up to the point of it being unusable. I have a dremel sanding drum which is the perfect size (for me) under the trigger guard. That being said I may have to give your way a try on my next one. Probibly will be a glock 26 hopefully next year.

Cheers
JP

[Business_Casual]

What does rounding the trigger guard do?

[MrDough]

What does rounding the trigger guard do?

Probably is more comfortable to grip the pistol especially with big fingers

@JonnyVain How did you make the stippling so even? What stencil did you use because it looks nice

[jp0319]

If you are talking about removing the hook from the trigger guard that makes holstering easier, and I don't use a grip which I need the hook for. If you are talking the relief under the trigger guard that has two purposes (for me) one it facilitates a higher grip on the pistol, two it prevents an annoying rubbing or pinching which I experience with glocks on my middle finger after a bit of firing.

[jp0319]

@JonnyVain How did you make the stippling so even? What stencil did you use because it looks nice

Not sure if you were kidding but that is not stippling that is a factory Glock Gen 4 pattern.